Hey Friends. Im thinkin more and more about going the Caddy route for my Hot Rod build. Im thinkin early Ford trans. Where can i find a manual flywheel? I know olds fit but its as rare as the Caddilac. Can i use something Else? And does anyone have a DXF file of the 49/53? Cadillac 331 to early Ford adapter plate? Thanks!
Olds flywheels have the same bolt pattern as Cad, but lack the hole for the locating pin that the Cad 331's have in the crank flange. A machine shop can locate and drill that hole if need be. But, Olds tooth count and balance vary with the year, some will work and some won't. I bought a new flywheel from Bendtsen's about 10 years ago and had to have the extra hole drilled. Now it looks like they're operating under the Speed Gems name, an e-mail to them might get you some information. I ended up finding a NOS Schiefer aluminum flywheel here on the HAMB and used it instead. Though rare they are still out there. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-to-ford-3speed-od-1951-flywheel-help.987098/
I used a schiefer aluminum flywheel on the 331 Cad in my 40. they are not easy to find either but they did make em
Make sure that you match your starter to the flywheel. Both Cadillac and Oldsmobile went to 12 volts in 1953, and I believe that the tooth count changed. Oldsmobile flywheels are neutral balance from 1949-56; after that, they were externally balanced to the engines.
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